The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to call for the promotion and protection of the rights and privileges of  Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), as it led, together with its attached agency, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), the kick-off of the 39th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week yesterday at the DSWD Central Office in Batasan, Quezon City.

The NDPR Week carries the theme, “Karapatan at Pribilehiyo ng Maykapansanan: Isakatuparan at Ipaglaban (Implement and Fight for the Rights and Privileges of PWDs).”

“The theme of the NDPR Week aims to remind all of us of the call for the promotion and protection of the right and privileges of our fellow citizens who are PWDs. The celebration also commemorates the birth of Apolinario Mabini, who is known as the ‘The Brains of the Revolution’ and ‘The Sublime Paralytic.’ Mabini represents Filipinos with disabilities who continue to fight the challenges of life and who strive to contribute to the development of our country,” DSWD Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo said in a message delivered by Undersecretary for Operations and Promotive Programs Ma. Lourdes Turalde, who led the committee that spearheaded the activity.

According to Sec. Taguiwalo, different government agencies, especially those at the local level, have a duty to include the PWD sector in the programs and services that they implement.

“Dapat ipatupad ng bawat pamahalaang lokal ang Batas Pambansa 344 upang itaguyod ang pamayanang walang sagabal at nagsusulong sa malayang pagkilos ng bawat Pilipinong may kapansanan (Each local government unit [LGU] must implement Republic Act [RA] 344 or An Act to Enhance the Mobility of Disabled Persons to build a community that promotes the free movement of PWDs),” Sec. Taguiwalo said.

“Kabalikat sa tungkulin ng bawat sangay ng pamahalaan ay ang pangangalaga at proteksyon sa karapatan ng mga maykapanasanan sa pamamagitan ng paghubog sa isang pamayanang walang diskriminasyon at may pantay na pagtrato sa bawat mamamayan (Included in the duty of each LGU is protection of the rights of disabled persons by building a community that does not discriminate and that treats each citizen fairly),” she added.

The Secretary also highlighted the importance of collective effort among the members of the PWD sector to fight for their rights.

“Mahalagang magkaisa ang mga samahan ng mga may kapansanan upang manawagan sa implementasyon ng RA 10754 na nagpapalawak sa mga benepisyo at pribilehiyo ng mga taong maykapansanan (It is important for the organizations of disabled persons to work together to call for the implementation of RA 10754 which expands the benefits and privileges of persons with disabilities),” Sec. Taguiwalo said.

One of the highlights of the kick-off ceremony was the recitation of the Loyalty Pledge of an Advocate on the Rights of PWDs, which stated what every Filipino can do to aid in the promotion of the rights of the members of the sector. NCDA Executive Director Carmen Zubiaga led the reading of the pledge.

Meanwhile, Marivic Kitan, an employee at the DSWD National Vocational Rehabilitation Center (NCDA), gave a testimony of how the center has helped her hone her skills and become a productive citizen in spite of her disability. NVRC offers developmental services for PWDs.

“Magkaisa tayo na buuin ang isang pamayanang gumagalang, kumakalinga at nangangalaga sa karapatan ng lahat ng mamamayan (Let us unite in building a community that respects and cares for the rights of all citizens),” Sec. Taguiwalo ended.

For her part, Usec. Turalde said, “We are working with different government agencies to determine the number of PWDs in the country and to know the most common disability among Filipinos so we can tailor our programs and services to them. We are also continuously reviewing the provisions of the existing laws for persons with disability by conducting consultations with different PWD organizations so we can push for the amendments of the laws.”

Other activities lined up for the celebration of the NDPR Week include a seminar on governance in health and wellness for PWDs in LGUs; a quiz bee on the history and culture of the Philippines; an art workshop and developmental games for children with disabilities; a seminar on raising awareness for ADHD, lupus, and rare diseases; and a cultural presentation. There will also be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Mabini Shrine on July 23 in time for Apolinario Mabini’s birthday.

PWD exhibit at Intramuros, Manila

In a related development,  an exhibit featuring the paintings of persons with disabilities on the 17 United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals was launched at the Palacio de Gobernador lobby in Intramuros, Manila.

The DSWD co-organized the launch of the exhibit, which was held last Friday, together with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Intramuros Administration (IA) and in partnership with the Earthsavers UNESCO Dream Center / Artist for Peace, International Theatre Institute (ITI), and the United Nations Information Center (UNIC) Climate Institute Advisory Board.

Usec. Malou Turalde represented Sec. Taguiwalo during the launch and shared the current efforts of the Department to promote the welfare of PWDs, such as the provision of assisted devices and sustainable livelihood program for PWDs as well as the conduct of a ‘one-stop shop’ for them.

The launch included the presentation to DSWD of the Braille in Filipino version of the UN Convention on the Rights of PWDs, a pledge to protect the environment and promote the rights of PWDs, and a special performance from Earthsavers Artists for Peace.

The paintings were first exhibited in Malacañang last year. It will be displayed at the Palacio de Gobernador lobby for the whole month of July.

Also present during the celebration were NCCA Executive Director Rico Pableo, Intramuros Administration Director Guiller Asido, United Nations Information Officer Terese Debuque, and Former Senator and the first Asian chairman of the United States-based Climate Institute Advisory Board, Heherson T. Alvarez. #